Mamata Banerjee Urges Recognition of Bengali as a Classical Language

Mamata Banerjee Urges Recognition of Bengali as a Classical Language

VoM News Desk | January 11, 2024 | 10:13 PM IST | Politics, West Bengal | Follow on Google News

Mamata Banerjee Urges Recognition of Bengali as a Classical Language

Mamata Banerjee Urges Recognition of Bengali as a Classical Language

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the official classification of Bengali as a “classical language.” Banerjee claims scientific research shows Bengali’s origins dating back 2,500 years. The state government has submitted four volumes of scientific evidence supporting this claim. Banerjee criticized the central government for acknowledging several languages as classical but excluding Bengali. She emphasized that recognizing Bengali as a classical language would lead to the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in West Bengal. In 2020, Banerjee previously urged the Centre to include Bengali as a classical language.

Tamil was the first language to receive classical status in 2004, followed by Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. To qualify, a language must have a recorded history of 1,500-2,000 years, an ancient literature considered valuable heritage, and a distinct tradition from modern forms. Recognition would highlight Bengali’s significance and contribute to preserving its ancient roots.

Bengal Chief Minister Advocates for Classical Language Status for Bengali

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the official classification of Bengali as a “classical language.” Banerjee cited scientific research indicating Bengali’s origins 2,500 years ago. She criticized the central government for recognizing other languages as classical but not extending the same acknowledgment to Bengali. Banerjee emphasized that recognizing Bengali as a classical language would lead to the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in West Bengal. In 2020, she made a similar plea, urging the inclusion of Bengali as a classical language in the National Education Policy 2020. The recognition would underline the language’s historical significance and cultural heritage.

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